Analysis on a passage from Chapter XXX of A Passage to India

8/10/2019 Analysis on a passage from Chapter XXX of A Passage to India

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Maryline Erika O. Martin - ASL U5

With close reference to the following passage, discuss how its ideas are reflective of

the concerns of the novel as a whole.

The passage opens with a remark of how a 'Hindu-Moslem entente' has

formed as a 'local consequence of the trial' in which Aziz and, by extension, the

whole Indian community have won. Das visits Aziz at the hospital and they have a

seemingly friendly conversation but underneath the surface, there lies a subtle

conflict and tension as the two are shown to still be wary of one another. From this,we are able to conclude that the Hindu-Muslim alliance is temporary and possesses

an expiry date, thus giving rise to the ideas of the fragility of human relationships

despite the 'genuine desire' for a universal brotherhood. This aspect of mankind; this

fragility, exemplifies human limitations and inability to control their relationships

and fates.

Although rejoicing over the 'entente' formed between the two differing

religions, both Das and Aziz are well aware that the brotherhood is short-lived. This

is apparent even in the two acquaintances' conversation which exudes a certain level

of conflict and friction suggesting that even their acquaintanceship possesses an

expiry date. Aziz does not appreciate the magistrate coming over and asking him for

two favours although he masks his disapproval through a joking manner of speaking.

Nonetheless, Das is very much aware of Aziz's grudge over him trying the case,

sensing 'irony beneath [Aziz's] manner.' The two Indians are capable of tolerating

one another, as shown in the passage, but both parties hold 'much mental clearness'

in knowing that their brief meetings can never truly ignite a real friendship or

'romance'. This 'entente' will not last as the Indians are far too divided by the

'various branches' of India, 'a hundred Indias'.


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'There is no such person in existence as the general Indian' proclaimed by

Aziz is a powerful and monumental statement as it severs all hope of a genuine

brotherhood and reveals the brittleness and fragility of the 'Hindu -Moslem entente' .

India is divided by 'various branches' of religion, race and creed which creates a

somewhat hostile and distant atmosphere between the Indians, disabling India from

becoming truly 'one'. There is a natural inability for the Indians, with each following

a certain creed, to truly 'connect'. They are nurtured to be distrustful and wary of one

another. Whatever alliance or 'romance' formed will not and never will last despite

their 'genuine desire for a good understanding.' The alliance between the Hindus and

Muslims will fall apart because it was formed in the heat of the moment, celebrating

their victory over their common enemy, the Anglo -Indians. Their 'brotherhood' l ies

on the platform of a fragile, feeble notion which shows us that the 'Hindu -Moslem

entente' is truly 'half-embraced', temporary and doomed.

Aziz, albeit being celebrated as a 'hero' to 'the whole city', does not take this

title positively or triumphantly because he is aware this unity is superficial and

'wanting'. His lack of positivity is supported by Das who answers, 'I fear not' to

Aziz's somewhat rhetorical question; 'but will it last?' The two gentlemen know thatthe alliance and all the 'loud protestations' lie on sand; a weak foundation and can

only forward onto an impending doom. The magistrate proceeds to advise the doctor

to stray from including in too many 'Persian expressions' and 'th e bulbul' in his poem

for the magistrate's brother's magazine as these elements are notably of Islamic

influences. This remark while highlighting the fruitless nature of the 'entente' also

serves to exemplify the inability of the Indians and mankind in general to embrace

and accept one another despite wanting 'to connect'.

Das and Aziz further demonstrate the improbability of this alliance to ever

become successful and fruitful. They try to act courteously and respectable but both

parties are shown to be thinking negatively of one another based on religion alone.


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While Aziz commonly views Hindus as 'cow-dung', Das thinks of Moslems as being

'very violent'. The underlying hostility and negativity observed through these two

men are evident in all races or religion of the 'hundred Indias' because one 'creed' is

different from the next. This puts them at odds, creating conflict and clashing views

as is clearly shown through the antagonism shared between the Hindus and Muslims

for one another. Thus foretelling how the existence of 'a hundred Indias' and the

unlikelihood of the exact 'general Indian' to continue to persist in Indian soil. The

'entente' or alliance formed is doomed from the start, forged only because of a

common enemy or a greater evil; the British colony, and not out of goodwill or true

acceptance. Through the conversation and personal thoughts of the two

acquaintances, we are able to see past the 'loud protestations of amity' and recognize

the 'half-embraced' and short-lived nature of the 'entente' as well as reveal the

delicate and fragile nature of human relationships.

Mankind possesses a frail notion of 'romance' or relationships. They are open

or are welcoming of the essential idea of a universal brotherhood but are unable to

fulfil this notion into becoming a reality. Like with the 'Hindu-Moslem entente',

'there went with them a genuine desire for a good understanding' but this does notnecessarily mean that an 'understanding' will be reached or that the two religious

groups have torn down the bitter walls built between them. They could only hope

and 'desire' that the alliance would bring about a change. This gives rise to the ideas

of human limitations wherein the average Indian yearns for goodwill and

understanding but possesses a 'malignant tumour' enough to jeopardize any attem pts

made and comes in the form of 'a mental malady'; suspicion. In every man, there lies

a 'tumour' of every kind and form which limits men to only hopeful wishes anddesires, ultimately shattering any 'possibilities of romance'.

The passage offers us a glance of how men are not responsible or in control of

their relationships as proposed by Das who asks to be pardoned for his prejudiced


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thoughts against Aziz and realizing his own 'limitations'. He cannot help but to think

negatively of the doctor because of their differing beliefs and realizes with these

limitations of his, a true friendship can never be forged between him and Aziz and

thus between the Hindus and Muslims in general. The lack of control in their fates

and relationships bring into light the feeble temperament of mankind against the

unyielding force of nature. In regards to the whole novel, the passage shows us the

fragility of human relationships and the nonexistent control Man has over these

relationships which generally proves the notion by which nature governs and

controls everything including human fates and relationships.

Through Das and Aziz, we are able to conclude that the 'entente' will falter

and from their conversation, thoughts and behaviour we are introduced into a

passage which exudes general concerns dealt with throughout the novel namely

fragility of human relationships, human limitations and to a broader interpretation;

human nature being inferior to nature itself. The descriptions of the 'Hindu-Moslem

entente' serve to highlight the fragile nature of forged relationships; formed as

merely a 'local consequence of the trial' wherein, their common enemy, the Anglo-

Indians were defeated. The language used to portray the two men and behaviourtowards one another highlights failure of 'entente' as well as human limitations due

to overwhelming prejudice. Forster has successfully manipulated language so as to

make each sentence signify an idea which reflects the general or major concerns of

the novel as a whole.

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Analysis on a passage from Chapter XXX of A Passage to India